Current Location: Alamo River Ranch Resort, Von Ormy (San Antonio), Texas

We were up around 5:00 AM this morning to get ready to head to the Air Force base to see our son, David, running in the airmen run and participating in the coin and retreat ceremonies at Lackland Air Force Base. Fortunately, we had David’s friend, Kyle, with us who is also an Air Force airman. We rode with him onto base in his rental car, saving us having to find parking spots for the dually. In addition, we got a built-in tour guide in the deal.

We started by getting on base at 6:00 am and waiting out front of the visitor center until they let us in about 7:15. Most of the day was spent waiting for each event to begin. We were given a briefing on the week’s activities then headed outside for the airmen run down the street behind the visitor center. All of the flights ran down the road in front of us, circled around and ran back up the street.

Proud parents waiting for airmen run

Here they come!

David’s flight.

There’s our son!

After the airmen run, we took our places on the bleachers and waited for the coin ceremony to start. After the honor graduates were honored, the rest of the graduates marched onto the grounds. David is in the band flight, so he was required to stay with the band group. The band was right next to our bleachers, but David was on the far end of the row right next to us, so we didn’t see much of him while they were playing.

David waiting to march in

Commanding officers

Graduates

Band flight flag and American flag

After the ceremony, all of the family members were allowed onto the grounds to congratulate their graduates. For those of us with band flight members, we had to wait until they stored their instruments on the bus and then walked back over for hugs and handshakes.

Marching out

Proud mama

The rest of the day, David had base leave which meant he could spend the day with us (from around noon until 7:30 PM). We ate lunch at the main Base Exchange, did shopping at the various exchanges, drove around the base and learned about the various areas and activities (thanks to our tour guides, Kyle and David), ate pizza for dinner and dropped David off so he could get back to his dorm to prepare for tomorrow’s activities.

We’ll be back up early again in the morning to get good seats for the actual graduation ceremonies. Once those are done (again, around noon or so), David will get town leave, meaning we can take him off base and head into town.